THE LOCOMOTIVE STEAM ENGINEMEN
AND FIREMEN FRIENDLY SOCIETY
Established in 1839
The Pension Fund in connection with it was established in 1841

RAILWAY REVIEW
10TH APRIL 1903
LOCOMOTIVE STEAM ENINGEMEN AND FIREMEN FRIENDLY SOCIETY
Sir, The secretary of my branch has furnished me with the suggestions of the branches and also of the general committee, which have have to be brought before the delegates in May, and I notice some very important new measures, and proposed alterations offered to the members, viz. Centralism of funds, an accident fund, a distressed fund, opening out the society to others than enginemen and firemen and last, but not lest, the adoption of the deposit system.
Every members of the society should take a lively interest in its affairs, as all branches with over 20 members have the right to appoint and send delegates to attend the delegate meeting, providing the March quarter dues are forwarded to the head office before such delegate meeting.
I am fortunately in possession of the Yorkshire post of March 18th, 1903, in which I notice an article on Friendly Societies. The meeting held in Leeds on the evening of the 17th was principles over by the Lord Mayor to consider the principles of the Holloway Benefit Society, and indirectly the important question of how the friendly societies can adjust themselves to the conclusion of modern friendly society finance.
The fundamental difference between the Holloway Society and the Oddfellows and kindred institutions is that, whereas in the older friendly societies each member's contributions are paid into a general fund upon which the member has no claim except in sickness or death, in the Holloway Society his contributions are entered to his credit in the books, and, when he attains the age of 65, they are returned to him with interest in a lump sum, or in the form of an old age annuity. If he dies before 65 the whole sum standing to his credit is paid without debt his relatives.
In the one case the man's savings for nearly 50 years are gone beyond recovery; in the other the member secures all the advantages of sick pay during illness, and at the same time is building up provision for his declining years. Mr. Thomas Fatkin stated at last night's meeting that the Hollow principle of combing a sick pay society with an old age superannuation scheme is the simplest and soundest that has ever been introduced, and Mr. Fatkin's testimony is honourable and disinterested.
The question for consideration of the older friendly societies is of the greatest importance. Among them they have accumulated funds amounting to many millions sterling. Every yer thousand of pounds are being added to these general funds which belong to the society are body, but cannot be withdrawn by individual members.
The fund is the capital insurance account upon which all men draw in case of sickness or death, but in genial it serves no other purpose. The healthy member who has contributed to that fund for 20 or 30 years has no claim upon it, and if he continues healthy he never will have. The only advantage his self denial secures beyond covering the risk of occasional sickness is the payment of a sum of money at his death, which his surviving relatives will spend upon his funeral. In conclusion, it would be well for all men to get the agenda of the suggestions, and take particular notice of the proposal from the Aberdare Branch, which recommends the adoption of the deposit system; and, after thoroughly discussing it, demand your delegate to vote according to your reasonable ideas on it.
Yours, etc
A MEMBER
RAILWAY REVIEW
8TH MAY 1903
LOCOMOTIVE STEAM ENINGEMEN AND FIREMEN FRIENDLY SOCIETY
Sir, In recent issue of your valuable paper I saw a letter referring to the delegate meeting to be held in connection with the above society, in which reference is made to the suggestions sent in by the Aberdare Branch, and as many of of our members are anxious to get further information regarding the proposed alteration, I shall esteem it a favour if you will kindly insert this at your earliest convenience.
The suggestions are as follows:-
1, This society shall be called the United Railwaymen's Friendly Society.
2, That the society be open to all grades of railwaymen.
3, That all moneys be centralised, less 30s. per member, which shall form the branch funds, all above that amount going to the central fund.
4, That we adopt the deposit system. That is to say, the society will credit each member who has not been upon the funds during any part of the year and who has paid his contributions regularly with a certain percentage of his total contribution.
This may not be withdrawal in the case of present members before the expiration of ten year from the passing of these rules, and in the case of new members still after a period of ten years' membership. In case of the death of a member, however, the amount standing to his credit plus the death grant to be paid to the next of kind.
The members of the Aberdare Branch having fully considered the financial condition of the society are of the opinion that the general funds are in a very unsatisfactory Tate of insolvency, and believe the whole of the members should know it. They also believe that the above reforms if brought about would mean the salvation of this once noble society. We all know that since its formation in the year 1839 it has done a noble work in ministering to the wants of the sick, aged, and infirm members, and it is solely with a desire to once more place it upon a sound financial basis that the above suggestions are made.
Personally, I see no reason why strong, healthy, honest, and intelligent lads should be refused admission into a friendly society on the ground of not being enginemen or firemen, hence the necessity of opening It out to all grades of railwaymen and knowing it by a broader and wider name, viz., the United Railwaymen's Friendly Society.
With regard to the centralisation of funds, you will observe that it is intended to retain in the branch funds an amount equivalent to 30s. per member, this being sufficient to meet the liability of any branch -- all money above that amount should go to the central fund.
By the adoption of the above rule all members would be placed upon an equal footing, and whether the branch was a large or small one each member could rest assured that in case of sickness or death all liabilities would be met and immediate payments made, which I am sorry to say is not the case now. All must agree that it is most essential that the general committee should at all times have sufficient money at their command to meet the death and other claims which are made them from time to time. Nothing can be more detrimental to the interests of a society than the knowledge that the general funds are unable to meet their liabilities.
It is, therefore, important that every delegate should have definite instructions how to vote for the above, and I trust every member in his own interest will instruct his delegate to vote for the adoption of this rule.
All friendly society workers are agreed that the honest, thrifty, and healthy members of a society should have some return for the sacrifices they frequently make on behalf of their less fortunate brothers, and by the adoption of the deposit system which was first introduced by that excellent society, the National Deposit Friendly Society, an incentive, would be given to thrift, encouragement given to the honest member, and some return to those who, whilst they had made provision for sickness, had enjoyed the blessings of good health, because the accumulation of capital in the central fund would mean to them something to which they could look forward with certainly in their old age. I know of no better way of helping a member of a friendly society than this.
Thanking you in anticipation,
Yours etc.,
GEORGE THOMAS
RAILWAY REVIEW
15TH MAY 1903
LOCOMOTIVE STEAM ENINGEMEN AND FIREMEN FRIENDLY SOCIETY
Sir, The very sensible suggestions emanating from the pen of Mr. George Thomas will heartily approved by many members. Unfortunately the sensible members are in the minority, for it appears that clause 3 contained in his letter was rejected at the delegate meeting held last week. Now Sir, this clause is the most important of the whole, because without it, and, as we stand at present, we are not on as good a footing as a slate club. A club of the latter description is essentially a "local" club. It stands on its own legs, and it were, resolving and giving no support to any other similar institution. now, a slate club for all practical purposes is far before the "Old Engineman's" in nearly every way. For one thing it shares out its accumulated capital every year; indeed, there is only one advantage possessed by the latter, viz., it is incorporated under the Friendly Societies Act. That, however, is a purely nominal advantage, existing only in name, at least, so far as this particular society is concerned. It is divided into numerous branches, which are each managed by a locally elected secretary, and is presided over by a general secretary at headquarters (Manchester). Each of the branches contribute a certain quota towards the expenses of his salary. Thus having a paid ruler any sane man would naturally suppose he was the head of a united whole, a body or society that was mutually self supporting and reliant. But it is a shameful and scandalous fact that such is not the case. While to all appearance we possess solidarity and unity we are one of the most disunited societies in existence. Here's how we stand at present, and, as far as I can see, are likely to. If a branch or branches wish to drop away from the society it or they can do so, taking their accumulated funds with them. If a branch is ruinously impoverish by sickness and death claims it gets no assistance whatever from any other branch or from Manchester headquarters, but if it cannot survive it is allowed to sink out of existence. The society is nothing more nor less than a "rabble" society, and I challenge anyone to disprove it. There is no convalescence, no brotherhood -- except in some of the branches and -- everybody seems powerless to alter the chaotic state of affairs. I am not, Sir, finding any fault with my branch or the members thereof, we are all out at sea in a rotten boat, but I am finding fault with those who have been and are the cause of this deplorable state of things and our impending "shipwreck." Now, to crown all the efforts of the sensible minority to pass the measure for the "centralisation of the funds" have been defeated.
Yours, etc.,
J.C. TWEEDLE
RAILWAY REVIEW
22ND MAY 1903
LOCOMOTIVE STEAM ENINGEMEN AND FIREMEN FRIENDLY SOCIETY
Sir, Three letters have, now by your kindness appeared in your widely read paper, for which, on behalf of this society, I thank you. The first letter was "A Call to Duty," setting forth the Abardare propositions, which were principally contained in four clauses:
First, to alter the name of the society;
Second, to open it out to all grades of the service;
Third, to centralise the funds;
Fourth, to adopt the deposit system.
I wish to say here that too say here that these propositions had a most conspicuous place on the agenda issued on the 10th March, two months prior to the conference, and I wish to say that through all my experience I never not in a society, haven't yet started, even though we may have -- through the instrumental of a few exceptionally intellectual members -- initiated Labour partied and federations. That our membership and stamina is not sufficient for the lead given by these intellectual giants is evidenced by the fact that we can barely retain our affiliation with our first creation and cannot afford the letter.
As the proposal to organise loco. men separately is grades let me say that the existence of the rival society makes any other course impossible, and as our methods have not been a success no apology is necessary in submitting it to your readers for their consideration. Also that I am too cosmopolitan in my views to desire to benefit one grade ''only," even if that was possible, and that in my brief life have assisted at the formation of one Labour party and branches of nearly every kind of Trade Union. That I would even yet lend a hand to our ex-railwaymen members in an effort to form a union of commission agents,
I am afraid this is rather scrappy, and lacks that elegance and charm you are by now accustomed to associate with most of the literature that emanates from Doncaster, but I have no time and less patience, and perhaps it may draw out someone who will make up for deficiencies, or cause the matter of organisation to reserve attention and remedial measures.
That is all I desire, and my object in writing is to get the opinion of our members, both loco. men and other grades.
Yours, etc.,
G.W. CHAPPELL
RAILWAY REVIEW
29TH MAY 1903
LOCOMOTIVE STEAM ENINGEMEN AND FIREMEN FRIENDLY SOCIETY
Sir, It is to a certain extent gratifying to read the glowing account of the later Conference given by your correspondent Mr. J. Clements, and I hope good results will accrue."Tis never too late to mend," we are told, and I sincerely hope we have arrived at the "turning" or "mending" point in connection with our method of procedure Mr. Clements suggests that I am unacquainted with the constitution of the society. Probably I am, and I really believe he would be a clever doctor that could diagnose the constitution of the enervated patient. At any rate, its constitution of late assumed such a serious condition of prostration as seemed to place to place it beyond hope of recovery. Perhaps, however, with a little skilful doctoring it may yet recover its normal condition. I hope so. Still, I couldn't shut my eyes to its palpably serious symptoms. Mr. Clements shows a decided predisposition to "gloss" things over. He says a branch cannot drop away from the society and take its accumulated funds only certain conditions. Well, the "certain conditions" exists, so it is worse than useless to argue in that strain. Branches have dropped away, and others are contemplating doing the same thing, so I suppose he will give in to the accuracy of that statement. Altogether, the gist of his letter is to prover I am wrong. it is he who is wrong. I cannot refer to my Review of last week because I gave it away, but I don't think I said "we have no paid ruler," for I know we have; but who nd what does he rule or preside over. With branches seceding, and the liability it appears to me, members may incur of losing their sick pay, and the secession of branches, what are we, I reiterate, but a "rabble." I apologise if I am wrong. However, if the term "chaos" -- to which he also takes exception -- is not applicable in reference to the way the business of the society is conducted, why are not the funds concentrated, as it were, and employed for the benefit of the whole society? He would be glad to know the name -- or names -- of any member who does not get justice. Well, Sir, I will give him the same of one. His name is R. Allen, Worcester Branch. he has been many years at Cricklewood, but kept in his old branch when he got transferred, regularly forwarding his quarterly subscriptions to Worcester. Some £5, I believe, is due to him as sick pay, and he cannot get it. He is told by the secretary of the branch to which he belongs that he will not succeed in getting it even if he sues the Worcester Branch, because others have pursued a similar course and failed. Your correspondent wants the name of the slate club that has over £5 per member after distribution. Perhaps he would like to hear of a few more "impossibilities." In short, how can a slate club keep a reserve of £5 per member when it distributions its surplus to its members every year? Does he refer from this that we -- the "Old Enginemen's" are worth that amount per member? If he does I can again prover that he is wrong. In conclusion, if he can convince me that "black" is "white" I will succumb to his prowess.
Yours, etc.,
J.C. TWEDDLE
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AMALGAMATION OF
L. S. E. F. F. S. AND A. S. E. & F.
Sir, At the two conferences recently held in connection with the above societies a very strong feeling in four of amalgamation prevailed and power was given by resolution in both cases to the E.C. to open up negotiations with a view to bringing this about, provided one side made overtures to the other.
It seems to me that it is only a sense of false dignity that keeps them apart.
Seeing that the question of federation between the A.S.R.S. and the A.S.E. & F. has been agreed upon by the two E.C.'s would it not be well to add another link in the chain by getting the A.S.E. & F. and the L.S.E. & F.F. societies o join hands.
With this object in view I would suggest that Mr. Richard Bell should write both general secretaries urging them to arrange a conference of both executives, and I have reason to believe Mr. Bell would be most happy to act as mediator between the two societies.
Yours, etc.,
A BELIEVER IN UNITY
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THE LOCOMOTIVE ENINGEMEN'S CONFERENCE IN LEEDS
The conference in connection with the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, which had been sitting in the Trades and Labour Hall, Upper Fountaine Street, Leeds, concluded on Saturday last. The delegates were mainly engaged in revising the rules of the society, but several new departures of importance to the members and of interest to the railway world generally were made. The scheme for the federation of the society with the A.S.R.S., which was agreed to by the representatives of the two associations at a conference in Leeds on Monday, 18th., was ratified. The delegates agreed to the principle of a direct representative in the House of Commons in the interests of the members of the society, and decided to make an annual levy of 1s. per member, to be supplemented from the protection fund, and for the payment of the salary of the representative and the expenses of his election. The salary of the general secretary was fixed at £250 a year. An organising secretary, with a salary of £150 a year, was decided upon, and the chairman of the conference, Mr. H. Parfitt (Aberdale), was elected.
RAILWAY REVIEW
5TH JUNE 1903
LOCOMOTIVE STEAM ENINGEMEN AND FIREMEN FRIENDLY SOCIETY
Sir, In reading letters in the Review from Mr. Tweedle and J. Clements, let me tell the latter that argument are not all on his side. I note very clearly that Mr. Clements does not answer Mr. Tweedle as one world expected from a chairman of the above. Mr. Tweedle said (and rightly, too) that there was no benevolence in the society; 1st, Mr. Clements say where there is any. I challenge that question. My experience is that the pollen of all take and no give reigns too supreme for any benevolence. I don't think Mr. Tweedle dwelt on the constitution of the society. If he had, and understood it, he would have shocked our friend Mr. Clements a great deal more. but if Mr. Tweedle will only have a little more patience he will see how the society is constituted, and he is wrong in saying the society is a rabble at least no ore than any other society that adopts the isolation policy. It is quite natural that Mr. Clements should gloss matters over as well as possible, one does not expect a vendor to run don his wares. I would advise both parties to call a spade a spade. Personally, I am watching events, and if the opinion I have formed gets supported by facts, Mr. Clements and Mr. Someone Else will have a much harder nut to crack than Mr. Tweedle has offered. In the Review of the 29th., Mr. Tweedle mentions something about doctoring the society up; perhaps Dr. Wray will give us some of his glided coated pills. I certainly object to the raw material, and I fully concur with the latter part of Mr. T.'s letter of 29th inst. I note, too, in same issue that "Unity" wants to see the above society amalgamated with the A.S.R.S. and A.S.E. Let me say that it is to late.
Yours, etc.,
WAITING
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LOCOMOTIVE STEAM ENINGEMEN AND FIREMEN FRIENDLY SOCIETY
Sir, I am pleased to note by the letter from Mr. J.C. Tweedle that he is open to conviction, and I assure him I have no desire to convince him that black is white, but only to show him what is fact. The governing body know too well the condition of the Worcester Branch and the position of Mr. R. Allen, and are doing their utmost in conjunction with Child's Hill Branch to remedy his position, which has been brought about by the apathy of the Worcester Branch, but there are many matters incorporated in Mr. Tweedle's letters, which would necessitate a lot of writing and time and space in your very much pressed paper. I think it would be wrong to continue, and as the governing body of the society mosts at 96, Brecknock Road, Camden Road, London, on the 21st inst., and it's not far from Mr. Tweedle's home. Mr. H.J. Wray, would be glad to meet him there, and hear all he may wish to say and no doubt give him satisfaction. Should the 21st not be convenient, will he send a date to the move mentioned address that will be convent to him?
Yours, etc.,
J. CLEMENTS
RAILWAY REVIEW
12TH JUNE 1903
L. S. E. & F. F. AND A. S. E. & F.
At a special meeting of the members of the Aberdare Branch of the L.S.E. & F.F.S the question of amalgamation of the societies was discussed when the enclosed resolution was passed:-
"Seeing that the principle of amalgamation has been agreed to at the delegates meetings of the L.S.E. & F.F.S. and A.S.E. & F.S., and having regard to the future prosperity of both societies and the wellbeing of railwaymen generally, we, the members of the Aberdare Branch of the L.S.E. & F.F.S, would respectfully ask Mr. Richard Bell, M.P., to use his influence with general secretaries f both societies with a view of bringing about the amalgamation of the two, as suggested by one of the correspondents in the Review of the 29th ult."
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LOCOMOTIVE STEAM ENINGEMEN AND FIREMEN FRIENDLY SOCIETY
Sir, In my letter in your issue of the 20th ult. I said in reference to the observations of Mr. J. Clements. "I sincerely hope we have arrived at the 'turning' or 'mending' point in connection with our method of procedure." Well, Sir, Mr. F.j. Wray, who is well known for the zeal and ability he is displaying in the direction of reform, visited Cricklewood and addressed a meeting of the so called Child's Hill Branch on the 7th instead of. I may here mention that the latter station no longer exists, having been obliterated from the list of Midland "station" names. It will be henceforth, known to the travelling public as Cricklewood, and no doubt the alteration will in due course extend itself to this branch. At aerate Mr. Wray visited the branch and minutely detailed the various reforms that members and of the whole society. The questions to be submitted to the Registrar General certainly cannot fail to delight the heart of the pessimist, and, as little doubt can be entertained but that they will be "incorporated," there is less doubt still but that universal satisfaction will ensue, and the abolition of all friction will lead to the smooth and satisfactory working of the machinery of the society. Considering, therefore, that practical and energetic steps are being taken to effect a sound and permanent basis of "reconstruction," my remarks in previous letters were most inopportune, and I should certainly have refrained from any comments at the precise moment our indefatigable brother, Mr. Wray, and his coadjutors were preparing salutary reforms for immediate execution if I has been aware of their action. Consequently, I deem it only in the interest of FairPlay, and also in that of every member of the society, that nothing should be said or done calculated to hamper or retard their efforts. I need hardly, therefore, say that in the interim I intend to rigidly abstain from taking any part in any controversy on the subject, and sincerely hope our brother members may be actuated by the same principles.
Yours, etc.,
J.C. TWEEDLE
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LOCOMOTIVE STEAM ENINGEMEN AND FIREMEN FRIENDLY SOCIETY
Sir, It was not my intention to trouble you again, but "Waiting" has turned up to set matters right. What is the purport of his letter? I am wrong. Mr. Tweedle is the same, so also Mr. Wray. The society is carried on in a selfish way -- there is no benevolence in it, the time of amalgamation has passed by, and the only person that is right is "Waiting."
Watching and waiting. sitting on the fence until his prophetic declarations are realised. Then he will demonstrate to all the world how he can reveal the picture. I wonder if Old Moors or Zadkell know of his existence? If they did he would he all right for a better job. I will give my friend the same invitation as is given to Mr. Tweedle. At present I don't know who he is. When I do I shall be glad to enlighten him upon the dark subjects mentioned in his letter. Until then, believe me.
Yours, etc.,
J. CLEMENTS
RAILWAY REVIEW
3RD JULY 1903
L. S. E. & F. F. AND A. S. E. & F.
Sir. A delegate meeting of the above society was held in May last.
At that meeting a statement was made by the president that certain branches had retained part of their quarter's dues to the General Office.
Since that time I have taken the trouble to look the matter up through the general statement of accounts for the past three years.
It appears that when the tendon fund was abolished in 1899 the pensioners were allowed the privilege of remaining as ordinary members of the society, or could claim the sum of £20 as final purchase, at the same time it was agreed that it should be paid from the general fund.
There was not sufficient money at that time standing to the credit of the general or death funds to pay the whole of the claims, therefore many of the branches that had money to spare paid off those who belonged to their branch, and which, undoubtedly, received them of a great sick liability by so doing.
Referring to the book of rules I cannot find there that those claims will be paid from the general fund. Now, this general fund is for the purpose of paying the sums due on the death of members or member's wives, and I should suppose it is the remaining balance of dues to this fund after the branches have paid death calms that has been retained.
Then the management fund is for the purpose of paying all necessary expenses in connection with the branches first, the remainder goes the General Office to pay general secretary, treasurer, committee, and all other necessary expensed in connection with the General Office. I don't suppose that any of the branches have had the audacity to retain any balance due to the Head Office from this account, or I should say any probably some of the officials may have had to wait for their salaries. He's this ever occurred?
Sometimes levies have been made on the wealthy branches' funds for the relief of branches in distress, and I would like to know if any part of it this account has been restrained. if so why don't the general committee demand the return of this money? I would like to know if branches in distress have been properly relieved. Will anyone make this matter clear to me?
Yours, etc.,
INQUISITIVE